The good and the bad of the Titans in Philadelphia

August 08, 2019 10:13 PM

Some thoughts out of the Titans’ 27-10 preseason win in Philadelphia, overall a good top-to-bottom effort by the visitors.

Taywan Taylor: Corey Davis didn’t play so we saw Khalif Raymond earlier than we might have expected and he was good, particularly on a catch in a dangerous area over the middle where he held on knowing he was about to get blasted. We saw Cody Hollister make a very nice sideline catch and haul in a TD.

What we did not see was a good performance by a guy who should outrank them both. A third-round pick going into his third year can’t be dropping one short pass and misplaying a deeper toss that might have been underthrown by Ryan Tannehill, but could have been adjusted to for a touchdown.

He also couldn’t get a second foot down in bounds on a reception near the left sideline inside 2:00 of halftime on what seemed like it shouldn’t have been an issue at all. [Unlocked]

Whatever is missing with him isn’t showing any signs of arriving. It’d be hard to give up on his speed, and Cam Batson landing on IR helped him, but he’s got to start playing better. Soon.

Ryan Tannehill: A guy who’s been a starter in the NFL for 88 games over six seasons should look good working as a second-teamer against second-teamers in the preseason, and Tannehill did just that. He was in command and crisp and that play should translate into just the sort of play the Titans need from a backup when he’s called on.

Marcus Mariota only played a series. He had something good going with Adam Humphries. Darius Jennings could have helped him by throttling down (to use Charles Davis' term) in open space against the right sideline on one incomplete pass, but Mariota could have also anticipated it a lot better and thrown it earlier.

Adoree’ Jackson: The cornerback was great on the last possession of the first half, but it was curious that he was in the game that long. Outside of the defensive line, all other starting-caliber players were out of the game on defense, so it felt almost as if he was being punished.

A bit earlier he made an odd recovery after Marken Michel effectively cut inside on him. As Jackson regained ground, he went inside the receiver and missed as he tried for a pick or knock away, leaving Michel with a catch-and-run for a 75-yard TD. Had he gone outside Marken he might have broken it up or at least would have been in position to stop him after a reception.

Guys on the rise: Raymond. If he can keep doing what he’s doing as a receiver and show he can be effective as both a kickoff and punt returner, he can dislodge Jennings. Hollister took advantage of five chances with four catches including the TD. DL Isaiah Mack was disruptive when he was in even as he was flagged for roughing. ILB Riley Bullough saw time on defense in the first half and played a lot of first-team special teams. RB Jeremy McNichols played as the second running back with Derrick Henry and David Fluellen out and did well with his chance, including a pretty 37-yard run. LG Jamil Douglas played with the ones in Rodger Saffold’s place.

Penalties: Mike Vrabel had the league’s least penalized team last season. The Titans weren’t ready for that with 12 for 117 yards and three first downs. They’ve got some cleaning up to do there.

Not better: Cameron Wake and Harold Landry didn’t play but neither did the Eagles’ starting offensive line. The Titans had one sack – on a delayed blitz by LeShaun Sims – and one QB hit.